Cord-tightening device.



A. G. SOISTMANN.

CORD 'lIGH'IfENIN G DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30, 1910.

1 094 029 Patented Apr. 21, 191* I ll j 2 1 I r I I, 15 14 I'L'H 11 a H //I j 'II 4* I I UNITED sTA'rEs PgrEivT OFFICE.

ADOLPH G. SOISTMANN, 0F CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY.

CORD-TIGHTENING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ADoLrH Gr. Sorsn MANN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Camden, in the county of Camden and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Cord-Tightening Device, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in tightening devices for musical instruments.

The objects are to provide improved means for tightening the cord or string portions and for disengageably locking the tightening device or devices in the tightened position to prevent the accidental slipping of the same and the loosening of the cord or string.

Reference is made to my copending application, Serial No. 547,204, filed March 4, 1910, as also showing a movable cord spreading member, although of different form, in combination with a cord tightening device.

The drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the application of my invention as applied to a drum ear.

Referring to the drawings :Figure 1 is a perspective view of a drum employing my improvements. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the drum ear on an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is an elevation of a portion of the drum ear and cords in the inoperative position on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the drum ear in the operative position on an enlarged scale, and showing a modification of the means for turning the spreading member.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The ear shown in the drawings is, in general respects, of the usual form, comprising the metal part or loop 5, open on the underside, as at 6, and providing the ways 7, for the two normally divergent extensions of the cord 8. To the metal part 5, and extending into and forming a lining for the same, is secured the ear 9 for manual operation.

My improved spreading member 14 is preferably rectangular in form and is pro vided with ways or channels 10 at each end to receive extensions of cord 8. It is pivotally secured by pin 11 to the support or extension 12 of loop member 5 and is adapt ed to be turned about pin 11 so as to assume either a position at right angles to extension 12, as shown in 1, 2 and 4, or a position parallel therewith, as shown in Fig. 3. As a convenient means for operating mem- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 30, 1910.

Patented Apr. 21, 1914.

Serial No. 569,656.

ber 14, it may be provided with an operating lever or handle 13 formed integral there with, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Or the handle may be dispensed with and a key or wrench 15 may be used for actuating the member 14, as indicated in Fig. 4.

In order to tighten the cord, the drum ear, with member 14 parallel with extension 12, is drawn down on the cord extensions in the direction of their divergence, in the usual way. Member 14 is then turned to a position at right angles with extension 12, into the operative position, thereby spreading said cord extensions farther apart than they are held in ways 7 of loop or slidable tightening member 5. Then it is desired to loosen the cord, member 14 is returned to the inoperative position parallel with extension 12 and slips freely between the pair of cord extensions.

Owing to the movable engagement of member 14 with extension 12 so that said member may assume an inoperative position, it will be clear that the drum ear may be drawn farther down the cord extensions than if said member 14 were rigidly held at all times at right angles with extension 12. By then turning member 14 at right angles with extension 12 the drum ear is securely locked in its tightening position. In other words, loop member 5 is first drawn well down to tighten the cord extensions with member 14 parallel with extension 12. Member 14 is thenturned to a position at right angles with said extension 12. This serves not only to lock the drum ear in the tightening position, but also further to tighten the cord by spreading the cord extensions above the ear as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

It will be understood that by the substitution of the claims herein for certain claims previously deemed allowable, I have been guided solely by a desire properly to claim my invention in a clear and concise manner, but I do not intend thereby to limit the scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the character described, a slidable tightening member and a cordspreading body carried thereby and independently movable with respect thereto between adjacent tightened cord portions in a plane parallel with said cord portions, said body having one dimension greater than the distance between said adjacent tightened cord portions at the point of application of the spreading body thereto.

2. In a device of the character described,

' a slidable tightening member and an independently pivoted oblong cord-spreading body connected therewith and adapted to lie between the cord portions, parallel therewith, when in the inoperative position, said spreading body being narrower than the distance between the cord portions adjacent the slidable tightening member.

3. A drum ear adapted to be drawn along normally diverging portions of the drum cord and having ways therefor, an extension rigidly connected with the ear portion of the device and substantially parallel with the substantially parallel portions of the drum cord and an independently movable spreading member carried by said extension.

4. In a device of the character described, a slidable tightening member and an oblong cord-spreading body carried thereby and independently movable with respect thereto between adjacent tightened cord portions, said body adapted to be moved from a position parallel with to a position at right angles to said cord portions and to spread and gradually tighten the same until the attainment of its position of maximum spread of the cord portions at right angles to the same.

5. In a drum ear, the combination of a slidable tightening member provided with ways for oppositely disposed cord or string portions, and an oblong spreading member longer than the distance between the oppositely disposed tightened cord or string portions at the point of application of the spreading member thereto, movably connected with the slidable tightening member and adapted at one time to be brought into spreading relationship with the cord or string portions and at another time to be moved between the same in the direction of travel of the tightening member,

(3. A drum ear, comprising a loop forming ways for normally diverging cord extensions, means connected therewith for manually operating the same, an upward extension integral with said loop and a channeled spreading member, movably connected therewith, and adapted to be moved into spreading engagement with the substantially parallel cord extensions when the loop has been brought into the tightening position.

7. A drum ear, con'iprising a loop forming ways for normally diverging cord extensions, means connected therewith for manually operating the same, an up ard extension connected with said loop and a substantially rectangular member having cord engaging channels, movably connected with said upward extension, and adapted at one time to be moved into spreading engagement with the cord extensions and into a position substantially at right angles therewith, and at another time to be moved out of spreading engagement with the cord extensions and into a position substantially parallel therewith.

ADOLPH G. SOISTMANN. lVitnesses MAE HorMANN, HOWARD S. Onm.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

